Albany waitress becomes millionaire in lottery

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Lottery winner Deeandra Harden (WQAD Photo)

Albany waitress becomes millionaire in lottery

Lottery winner Deeandra Harden (WQAD Photo)

An Albany, Illinois waitress says she plans to use her lottery winnings to repay friends and family who have helped her.

Deeandra Harden won $1,000 a week for 20 years playing the Illinois Lottery “The Good Life” instant lottery game.

The prize is awarded in quarterly cash payments to winners who play the $1 “The Good Life” game. Lottery officials say players can also buy instant tickets for $2, $5 and $10. Top prize winners can win more than $10 million payable over 20 years.

Harden said family and friends gave her support as she was having a hard time making ends meet. It is those people whose kindness she plans to repay first.